Kisorio, Aiyabei win Eldoret City Marathon titles

Mathew Kisorio from Nandi County and Valary Aiyabei from Elgeyo Marakwet are the winners of the second edition of the Eldoret City Marathon held Sunday in Uasin Gishu County.

In a challenging course and  running in a high altitude as well, the athletes were subject to a sunny morning in the streets of the ‘City of Champions’.

Aiyabei-the reigning Beijing marathon champion ran the show from the onset as she pulled away from the leading pack form the five kilometre mark,  having little competition as ultimately won the title in a course record of 2:27:17.

Vivian Kiplagat came in second 2:12:51 as Elizabeth Llimokol settled for bronze in 2:33:00.

The 2016 Valencia Marathon champion said the course favoured her in that she trains in Iten, which is in close proximity to Eldoret.

“For me the course and weather were good since I am at home although at the 38km mark I struggled a little bit with the course but I am happy I won,” said Aiyabei.

Aiyabei also became the first athlete to defend the Standard Chartered Nairobi marathon when she clinched back to back titles in the 21km race and now she shifts her focus to the major marathons.

“I was using the race as the part of my long run preparations for major marathons next season,” added Aiyabei.

Kiplagat who finished second in the race after trailing Aiyabei said she did not got right her timing although she was contend with the second place.

“I just came from a race in Milan and thus I felt somehow tired but I thank God for finishing second. I did a mistake in that I did not follow Aiyabei when she broke away,” Kiplagat said.

In the men category, Kisorio and the Standard Chartered Singapore marathon champion Joshua Kipkorir were locked in a tough battle but Kipkorir would fade away at the 21km mark with Kisorio taking charge of the race from the point.

Although,  Kisorio would struggle at the tail end of the race,  he had the title on his belt as he crossed the finish line in 2:12:38 with David Kiplimo (2:12:38) and Kenneth Kemboi (2:12:51) rounding off the podium.

The Police man said he is now preparing for the Valencia marathon to be held later in October.

“I think we started in high speed and that is why I struggled at the finish. I only had one week to prepare for this race and now I am preparing for Valencia marathon,” added Kisorio.

The marathon which is the brain child of former world champion Moses Tanui is one of the well-paying races in the continent with the winner pocketing shillings 3.5milion, as the first runners up winning sh1.5m as the second runners up took home KSh1m.

This year’s theme ‘Mitigating Climate Change’ is alingned with the current tough climatic conditions-with the long rains yet to be witnessed.

Summarised Results

42km Men

1 Mathew Kisorio 2:12:38

2 David Kiplimo 2:12:51

3 Kenneth Kemboi 2:15:43

4 Kenneth Korir 2:15:59

5 Henry Kosgei 2:16:07

6 Stephen Kipngetich 2:16:11

42km Women

1 Valery Aiyabei 2:27:17

2 Vivian Kiplagat 2:28:29

3 Elizabeth Llimokol 2:33:00

4 Lydia Cheromei 2:33:59

5 Vitaline Kibii 2:36:13

6 Margaret Wangare 2:36:32